Food serving bar with removable panel system and adjustable kickplate

ABSTRACT

A food serving bar with a removable panel system and an adjustable kickplate system. The food serving bar has a cabinet that receives the panel system on the front, back and/or sides of the cabinet in a channel formation. Tongues extend down from the bottom edge of the panel and are received in openings in a lower support of the cabinet for securing the panel in place. A kickplate is adjustably fastened to the cabinet with a fastening system so as to permit adjustment of the kickplate up and down relative to the cabinet depending on the height of the gap between the cabinet and the floor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the food service industry, and more particularly to removable panel systems and kickplates for food serving bars.

[0002] Many food service establishments, such as fast food restaurants, have serving bars for displaying and serving food products. Potential customers entering the food service establishment form initial impressions of the establishment based on visual observations of the service counter. Therefore, in addition to presenting an appetizing food product and a clean serving area, it is desirable to establish a favorable ambiance so that a positive impression is made on the potential customers. Accordingly, the base of the serving bar is often provided with decorative coverings.

[0003] The length and/or size needed for a serving bar or counter varies from establishment to establishment depending on such factors as the amount of space required to display and prepare the food products. Even in restaurant chains providing the same general food products, factors such as the available space in the building and the orientation of the dining tables present situations necessitating various sizes of serving bars. Thus, serving bars come in a wide range of sizes. Providing coverings for the specific sizes of serving bars often requires customizing the decorative covers. Additionally, it is occasionally desirable to update or remodel the serving bar to provide a new impression. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a modular and removable decorative panel system for serving bars and counters that can be used on counters of various sizes and that can be replaced with minimal effort.

[0004] Serving bars are typically mounted on legs so that the bottom of the bar is spaced above the floor. For reasons of sanitation, and to comply with federal law, base plates (kickplates) are used to close the gap between the bottom of the bar and the floor. However, closing this gap completely is difficult to accomplish with conventional designs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Among the several objects of this invention will be noted the provision of a food serving bar having a removable panel system which is economical to manufacture and quick to install; the provision of such a panel system which can be used on food serving bars of different sizes; the provision of such a panel system which can be fabricated to include attractive decorative artwork, graphics, or the like; and the provision of an adjustable kickplate system for a food serving bar.

[0006] In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a panel system in a food serving bar having a cabinet comprising a front, a back, opposite sides and a top, the panel system being removably attached to at least one of the front, back and sides of the cabinet. The panel system includes at least one generally rectangular panel having a top edge, a bottom edge and opposite side edges, and an upper channel formation extending along the one of the front, back and sides of the cabinet for holding the top edge of the panel. One or more tongues extend down from the bottom edge of the panel. The panel system also includes a lower support along the one of the front, back and sides of the cabinet spaced below the upper channel formation, the support having one or more openings therein for receiving the one or more tongues and for supporting the lower edge of the panel with the one or more tongues received in respective one or more slots for securing the panel in place. The panel is movable vertically to remove the one or more tongues from respective openings to allow the panel to be removed from the cabinet.

[0007] In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a food serving bar having a cabinet comprising a front, a back, opposite sides, a top, a bottom, and legs for supporting the cabinet on a floor with the bottom of the cabinet spaced above the floor to form a gap between the cabinet bottom and the floor, the gap having a vertical height. The food service cabinet has one or more kickplates each having a lower edge, and a fastening system for fastening the one or more kickplates to the cabinet in a position where the lower edge of each kickplate is adjacent the floor and closing the gap. The fastening system is adapted to permit adjustment of the one or more kickplates up and down relative to the cabinet depending on the height of the gap.

[0008] Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a partial cutaway perspective of one embodiment of a food serving bar according to the invention;

[0010]FIG. 2A is an enlarged side elevation of a portion of the food serving bar of FIG. 1 showing an upper channel formation;

[0011]FIG. 2B is an enlarged side elevation of a portion of the food serving bar of FIG. 1 showing an alternate embodiment of the upper channel formation;

[0012]FIG. 3A is an exploded side elevation showing a panel to be received in the upper channel formation of the food serving bar of FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 3B is a side elevation showing the panel installed with its upper edge portion in the upper channel formation of the food serving bar of FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective of a portion of the food serving bar of FIG. 1 showing tongues on the panel;

[0015]FIG. 4B is a sectional of a portion of the food serving bar of FIG. 1 showing tongues on the panel extending through a lower support;

[0016]FIG. 5 is sectional of the panel taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 6 is side elevation of the food serving bar of FIG. 1 with portions of the food serving bar being broken away to show refrigerated food pans; and

[0018]FIG. 7 is a front elevation of a kickplate and fastening assembly for use on the food serving bar of FIG. 1 with portions of the kickplate being broken away to show a mounting flange.

[0019] Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Referring to the drawings, and first and more particularly to FIG. 1, a food serving bar of the present invention is designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 1. The bar 1 comprises at least one base in the form of a cabinet 3 having a front wall 5, a back wall 7, opposite side walls 9, and a top wall 13, all of which combine to define an interior space 15. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, one of the side walls 9 has been removed to more clearly illustrate the interior space 15. Preferably, the top wall 13 extends past the substantially vertical front wall 5 to form a ledge 17 overhanging the front wall 5. In one embodiment, the top wall 13 has an opening 19 therein, preferably but not necessarily elongate, above the interior space 15. A plurality of elongate and generally parallel dividers, each generally designated 23, of thermally conductive material (e.g., stainless steal sheet metal or extruded aluminum) extend lengthwise of the cabinet 3 in the interior space 15 below the opening 19 in the top wall 13. The dividers 23 define a plurality of elongate generally parallel pan-receiving cavities 25 for receiving generally parallel rows of food-holding pans (FIG. 6) extending lengthwise of the cabinet 3 in the interior space 15. The front wall 5, back wall 7, side walls 9, and top wall 13 of the food serving bar 1 are preferably fabricated of sheet metal and suitably secured to form the cabinet 3. The overall length of the cabinet 3 from one side wall 9 to the opposite side wall 9 can be any length, but two particularly suitable lengths are about 60 in. and about 84 in. Furthermore, several cabinets 3 may be placed end-to-end to provide a desired length for the food serving bar 1. Reference may be made to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/317,746 filed Dec. 12, 2002 entitled “FOOD SERVING BAR” and assigned to Duke Manufacturing Co. of St. Louis, Mo., which is hereby incorporated by reference, for further details relating to the construction of food serving bars. However one skilled in the art will understand that the configuration of the food serving bar 1 shown in FIG. 1 is only one embodiment of the invention. It is contemplated that portions of the food serving bar 1 may be used as a food preparation station, a food display station, or even a cashier's station and thus may not include openings or pan-receiving cavities as described above.

[0021] In one embodiment of the invention (FIG. 1), the food serving bar 1 includes a removable panel system, generally indicated at 30, removably attached to the front wall 5 of the cabinet 3. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the panel system 30 includes two panels 32, namely, a first larger main panel 32A and a second smaller filler panel 32B. Each panel 32 is generally rectangular in shape, having a top edge 34, a bottom edge 36 and opposite side edges 38. However, the panel system 30 may include panels having other shapes, such as square, oval, triangular, and the like. Also, the panel system 30 may comprise one or more panels of different sizes. The one or more panels 32 of the panel system 30 are secured in face-to-face relationship with one or more of the front wall 5, back wall 7, and side walls 9 of the cabinet 3. (In FIG. 1, a portion of the main panel 32A has been removed to more clearly illustrate the front wall 5 of the cabinet 3.)

[0022]FIG. 2A illustrates a lip 40 extending down from the ledge 17 of the top wall 13. The lip 40 combines with the ledge 17 and the front wall 5 to form an upper channel formation 42 extending along the cabinet 3. In one embodiment, the upper channel formation 42 extends continuously along entire length of the front wall 5 of the cabinet 3. In other embodiments, the channel formation may extend only intermittently or less than the full length of the cabinet. In a preferred embodiment, the ledge 17 and the lip 40 are formed from a single extrusion or casting by bending down the outer edge of the ledge. In an alternate embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2B, the upper channel formation 42 is formed by means of a bracket 44 having a first horizontal leg 46 in face-to-face relationship with the ledge 17 and a second vertical leg 48 (forming lip 40) extending in a downward direction so that it is spaced from and generally parallel with the front wall 5. Preferably, the bracket 44 is of extruded aluminum having a wall thickness in the range of from about 0.060 in. to about 0.125 in. However, other materials, such as plastic, wood or rubber may be used. The bracket 44 is attached to the ledge 17 with screws (not shown). Other suitable means, such as rivets or other conventional fasteners, can be used to attach the bracket, or the bracket may be attached with adhesive or by welding. The bracket 44 may also be used in combination with the embodiment having the lip 40 formed as an integral portion of the ledge 17 (FIG. 2A). It is also contemplated that similar channels (not shown) may be formed along the back wall 7 and/or side walls 9 of the cabinet 3 if panels are to be mounted at these locations.

[0023]FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate that the top edge 34 of the panel 32 is sized to be received into the upper channel formation 42 extending along the front wall 5 of the cabinet 3 (see FIG. 3A) so as to hold the panel 32 against the front wall of the cabinet (see FIG. 3B). FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate that one or more tongues 50 extend down from the bottom edge 34 of the panel 32. In one embodiment, a strip 52 (FIG. 3A) having the tongues 50 extending therefrom is attached near the bottom edge 34 and along the length of the panel 32. The tongues 50 extend from the strip 52 and are spaced apart a suitable distance (e.g., every 6 in.) along the length of the strip. In a preferred embodiment, the strip 52 is made of sheet metal having a thickness in the range of from about 0.030 in. to about 0.060 in. Other materials, such as plastic or resin materials may be used for the strip and tongues.

[0024] A lower support 54 extends from near a bottom edge 58 of the front wall 5 of the cabinet 3. In one embodiment, this support 54 comprises an elongate bar of sheet metal having a first leg 60 extending forward from the front wall 5 of the cabinet 3. Leg 60 has one or more openings therein, such as slots 62, spaced at intervals along the support 54 corresponding to the spacing between the tongues 50. In one embodiment, a second leg 64 extends up from the first leg 60 spaced from the front wall 5 of the cabinet 3 so that the first leg 60 and second leg 64 define a recess 66 for receiving the lower edge 36 of the panel 32. Preferably, the lip 40 and the second leg 64 are generally coplanar. Alternately, the second leg 64 of the lower support 54 may be omitted so that only the tongues 50 hold the lower edge 36 on the lower support. To mount the panel 32 in place, the tongues 50 are aligned with the slots 62 in the support 54 and the lower edge 36 of the panel is brought down to rest on leg 60 with the tongues 50 received in respective slots for securing the panel 32 in place. Similar lower supports (not shown) may also be placed along the back wall 7 and/or side walls 9 of the cabinet 3 if panels are to be mounted at these locations. Preferably, the vertical length of the panel 32 in relation to the spacing between the upper channel formation 42 and the lower support 54 is such that the panel is movable vertically a distance sufficient to enable the tongues 50 to be removed from the slots 62 so that the panel can be removed from the cabinet 3. The tongues 50 are configured to be bent or twisted on the underside of the lower support 54 to secure the panel 32 in place on the cabinet 3. Preferably, the tongues 50 extend down through and beyond the slots 62 a distance (e.g., 0.125 in.) sufficient to facilitate such bending or twisting, as shown in FIG. 4B where a bent tongue is shown in phantom lines. Preferably, the tongue can be bent in any direction. The panel system 1 has been described using means to secure the panels 32 in place comprising tongues and slots, however other means such as pegs, pins and the like received in openings of any shape may be used to secure the panel to the cabinet 3.

[0025] Returning to FIG. 1, each of the one or more main panels 32A has a fixed length from one side edge 38 of the panel to the opposite side edge 38. In one embodiment, the main panel 32A is sized so that an outward face 59 of the main panel can be used as the focal point of the decorative motif displayed on any size food serving bar 1. As such, the main panel 32A may be removably attached to the food serving bar 1 such that a portion of the main panel is attached to the cabinet 3 and a portion of the main panel is attached to a second cabinet (not shown) that is positioned in an end-to-end relationship with the first cabinet. By way of example and not limitation, one preferred length of the main panel 32A is about 83 inches. Of course, other suitable lengths may be used.

[0026] Each of the one or more filler panels 32B (if used) is removably attached to the front wall 5, back and/or side walls of the cabinet 3 in side-by-side relation to the main panel(s) 32A. The top edge 34 of each filler panel 32B is also received in the upper channel formation 42 as described above. One or more tongues 50 extend down from the bottom edge 36 of each filler panel 32B for reception in one or more slots in the support as explained above for securing the one or more filler panels in place. Each filler panel 32B is movable vertically to remove the one or more tongues 50 from respective one or more slots to allow the one or more filler panels to be removed from the cabinet 3. The filler panels 32B can be made in various lengths to cover the remaining surface of the front wall 5 after the one or more main panels 32A are set in place. In this manner, the main panel(s) 32A can be made having a standard length and uniform design to be used as the focal point of the decorative motif for all sizes food serving bars 1, and one or more filler panels 32B of the required size can be used as needed to complete the decorative motif and cover any size food serving bar. Thus, more complex main panels 32A can be manufactured using more traditional manufacturing processes, and a more modular approach can be used for decorating food service bars for a chain of restaurants where it is desired to have a more uniform appearance, thus reducing the need to manufacture customized lengths of decorative panels.

[0027]FIGS. 1 and 5 illustrate that each of the panels comprises a generally rectangular frame 70 defining a central opening 72 and a cover assembly, generally designated 74, attached to the frame 70 and covering the opening 72. In one embodiment, the frame 70 comprises a core 76 of particle board, for example, sandwiched between a wood laminate front facing 78 and a waterproof back facing 80 to be positioned adjacent the front wall 5 of the cabinet 3. In one preferred embodiment, the cover assembly 74 comprises a foam body 82 in a rigid vacuum molded shell 84, the foam body 82 preferably being of polyurethane foam and the shell being of a polyvinyl chloride material. A front facing 59 is attached to the shell and comprises, in one embodiment, a silkscreen motif which provides a decorative and attractive appearance to the cover assembly. The cover assembly 74 can easily be removed and replaced with another cover assembly to change the decorative motif as desired. The cover assembly 74 is secured to the frame 70 by fasteners 85 or other suitable means (e.g., adhesive).

[0028] Referring now to the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the panel 32 has a cantilever shelf 87 projecting out from near the upper edge 34 of the panel. The panel 32 further has a lighting system 88 on the underside of the shelf 87 for illuminating the front face 59 of the panel. For example, the lighting system may comprise a series of one or more light bars with lamps sized to provide optimal illumination for the graphics on the front of the panel 32.

[0029]FIG. 6 also illustrates that the cabinet 3 has a bottom 90 and legs 92 for supporting the cabinet 3 on a floor 94 with the bottom of the cabinet 3 spaced above the floor to form a gap 96 between the bottom and the floor. Preferably, the legs 92 are adjustable to position the cabinet 3 such that the top wall 13 of the cabinet 3 is generally level. One or more kickplates 98 are attached to the cabinet 3 adjacent its bottom 90 such that a lower edge 99 of each of the kickplates resides adjacent the floor 94.

[0030]FIG. 7 illustrates a fastening system, generally indicated at 100, for fastening the one or more kickplates 98 to the cabinet 3 in a position in which the lower edge 99 of each kickplate contacts the floor 94 to completely close the gap 96. Preferably, the fastening system 100 is adapted to permit adjustment of the one or more kickplates 98 up and down relative to the cabinet 3 depending on the height of the gap 96. In one embodiment, the fastening system 100 comprises two or more laterally spaced generally vertical elongate openings 102 in each of the kickplates 98, preferably toward opposite ends of the kickplate. Fasteners 104 extend through the openings 102 and are tightened to a flange 106 extending down from the bottom 90 of the cabinet 3 to secure each kickplate 98 in adjusted vertical position, as allowed by the elongate openings 102. In one embodiment, the flange 106 is part of the lower support 54. In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the openings 102 are in the form of elongate slots in the kickplates. The openings may also be open-ended slots (notches) extending from an upper or lower edge of the kickplate. While the orientation of the elongate openings is preferably vertical, it will be understood that they may be only “generally vertical”, meaning that they may be off vertical to some extent so long as the fastening system 100 allows each kickplate to float or automatically move up or down to any position necessary for contacting the floor to completely close the gap 96 between the bottom of the cabinet 3 and the floor 94, where the plate may then be secured in position by tightening the fasteners 104. In one embodiment, two or more kickplates are positioned end-to-end along the length of the food serving bar 1. A pilaster (not shown) may cover the joint between adjacent kickplates.

[0031] The food serving bar may also include a breath guard 110 mounted on the top wall 13 of the cabinet 3 in a manner to extend generally over the top of the cabinet 3. A lower edge 112 of the breath guard 110 is received in a channel 114 formed in an extrusion 116. In one embodiment, the extrusion 116 comprises two parallel spaced apart flanges extending upward from the bracket 44 to form the channel 114. The breath guard 110 is of a transparent material, such as glass or plexiglass, to enable a customer standing at the food serving bar 1 to view products displayed on the bar and the preparation of food by the food service worker behind the bar. In one embodiment, a lighting system 118 is provided on the breath guard 110 adjacent its upper edge for illuminating the top of the cabinet 3 and the food being served. An upper horizontal portion 119 of the breath guard 110 is supported above the cabinet 3 by means of one or more supports 120. In one embodiment, each support 120 comprises a T-shaped post attached at its lower end to the base of the serving bar and having a horizontal cross bar 121 at its upper end for supporting the upper portion 119 of the breath guard.

[0032] Returning to FIG. 1, the food serving bar 1 also includes a temperature control system 31 comprising, in the preferred embodiment, a plurality of heat transfer lines (not shown) for heating or cooling the dividers 23 and the food pans received in the cavities 25. Preferably, the temperature control system 31 is a refrigeration system for cooling the dividers 23 and pans, but it will be understood that the temperature control system could also be operable to heat the dividers and pans.

[0033] When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0034] In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 

What is claimed is
 1. In a food serving bar having a cabinet comprising a front, a back, opposite sides and a top, the improvement comprising a removable panel system for removable attachment to at least one of the front, back and sides of the cabinet, said panel system comprising: at least one generally rectangular panel having a top edge, a bottom edge and opposite side edges; an upper channel formation extending along said one of the front, back and sides of the cabinet for holding the top edge of the panel; one or more tongues extending down from the bottom edge of the panel; and a lower support along said one of the front, back and sides of the cabinet spaced below said channel formation, said support having one or more openings therein for receiving said one or more tongues and for supporting the lower edge of the panel with the one or more tongues received in respective one or more opening for securing the panel in place, said panel being movable vertically to remove the one or more tongues from respective openings to allow the panel to be removed from the cabinet.
 2. A food serving bar as set forth in claim 1 wherein said one or more tongues are sized to extend through said respective one or more openings and to be bent on the underside of the support to lock the panel in place on the support.
 3. A food serving bar as set forth in claim 1 wherein said one or more panels comprises one or more main panels each having a fixed length from one side edge of the panel to the opposite side edge of the panel, said fixed length being less than the overall length of the food serving bar from one side to an opposite side, and wherein said panel system further comprises one or more removable filler panels each having a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposite side edges, said one or more filler panels being removably attachable to said one of the front, back and sides of the cabinet in side-by-side relation to said one or more main panels.
 4. A food serving bar as set forth in claim 3 wherein said food serving bar comprises a plurality of cabinets in an end-to-end orientation, and wherein at least one of said one or more main panels is removably attached to at least two of the cabinets such that said main panel bridges said two cabinets.
 5. A food serving bar as set forth in claim 3 wherein the top edge of each filler panel is receivable in said channel formation, and wherein one or more tongues extend down from the bottom edge of each filler panel for reception in one or more openings in said support for securing the one or more filler panels in place, said one or more filler panels being movable vertically to remove the one or more tongues from respective one or more openings to allow the one or more filler panels to be removed from the cabinet.
 6. A food serving bar as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cabinet has front, back and side walls, and wherein said one or more panels are secured face-to-face with the front wall of the cabinet.
 7. A food serving bar as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lower support comprises an elongate bar having a first leg extending forward from the front of the cabinet and having said one or more openings therein.
 8. A food serving bar as set forth in claim 7 wherein said lower support further comprises a second leg extending up from the first leg spaced from the front of the cabinet, said first and second legs defining a recess for receiving the lower edge of said one or more panels.
 9. A food serving bar as set forth in claim 7 wherein said upper channel formation comprises a top wall of the cabinet and a lip extending down from the top wall.
 10. A food serving bar as set forth in claim 9 wherein said lip and said second leg are generally coplanar.
 11. A food serving bar as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cabinet has a bottom and legs for supporting the cabinet on a floor with the bottom of the cabinet spaced above the floor to form a gap between the cabinet bottom and the floor, one or more kickplates each having a lower edge, and a fastening system for fastening the one or more kickplates to the cabinet in a position where the lower edge of each kickplate is adjacent the floor and closing said gap, said fastening system being adapted to permit adjustment of the one or more kickplates up and down relative to the cabinet depending on the height of the gap.
 12. A food serving bar as set forth in claim 11 wherein said legs are adjustable to vary the height of said gap.
 13. A food serving bar as set forth in claim 12 wherein said fastening system comprises two or more laterally spaced vertical elongate openings in each of the one or more kickplates, and fasteners adapted to extend through the elongate openings and to be tightened to secure each kickplate in adjusted vertical position.
 14. A food serving bar as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said one or more panels has a cantilever shelf thereon projecting forward from the panel generally toward its upper edge.
 15. A food serving bar as set forth in claim 14 further comprising a lighting system on the underside of said shelf for illuminating a front face of the panel.
 16. A food serving bar as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a lighting system on said panel for illuminating a front face of the panel.
 17. A food serving bar as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said one or more panels comprises a rectangular frame defining a central opening and a cover assembly attached to the frame and covering said opening.
 18. A food serving bar as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cabinet has one or more openings in its top for holding food pans.
 19. A food serving bar as set forth in claim 18 further comprising a temperature control system for regulating the temperature of food in the food pans.
 20. A food serving bar as set forth in claim 19 wherein said temperature control system is operable to cool the food pans.
 21. A food serving bar as set forth in claim 18 further comprising a transparent breath guard mounted on the top of the cabinet and extending over the food pans, and a lighting system on the breath guard for illuminating the top of the cabinet.
 22. In a food serving bar having cabinet comprising a front, a back, opposite sides, a top, a bottom, and legs for supporting the cabinet on a floor with the bottom of the cabinet spaced above the floor to form a gap between the cabinet bottom and the floor, said gap having a vertical height, the improvement comprising: one or more kickplates each having a lower edge; and a fastening system for fastening the one or more kickplates to the cabinet in a position where the lower edge of each kickplate is adjacent the floor and closing said gap, said fastening system being adapted to permit adjustment of the one or more kickplates up and down relative to the cabinet depending on the height of the gap.
 23. A food serving bar as set forth in claim 22 wherein said legs are adjustable to vary the height of said gap.
 24. A food serving bar as set forth in claim 23 wherein said fastening system comprises two or more laterally spaced generally vertical elongate openings in each of the one or more kickplates, and fasteners adapted to extend through the openings and to be tightened to secure each kickplate in adjusted vertical position. 